Core holding and dropping device for cotton-presses.



No. 65I,459. Patented Iun I2, I900`.'

' T. J. GRIFFIN. CORE HOLDING AND DROPPING DEVICE FO (Application led Feb. 4, 1897. (No Model.)

Iil COTTON PRESSES.

AOI.. L/

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE:o

THOMAS J. GRIFFIN, OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR TO H. REIDEL, EDVARD MCCARTHY, AND N. WEEKS, OF SAME PLACE, AND THE AMERICAN COTTON COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CORE HOLDING AND DROPPING DEVICE FOR COTTON-PRESSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 651,459, dated June 12, 1900.

Application led February 4, 1897. Serial No. 622,013. (No model.)

To "cti/Z 'Lu/tom it mrtg/concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. GRIFFIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Galvesten, in the county of Galveston and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Core Holding and Dropping Device for Cotton-Ccmpresses, of which the following is a specification.

'lhis invention relates to core holding and dropping mechanism for cotton-compresses; and it has for its object to provide new and useful mechanism of this character having means for supporting the core-rod in position during the formation of the bale, while at the same time providing for the ready dropping of the bale, with the core-rod therein, when the bale is completed.

In carrying out the invention one of the principal objects thereof is to dispense with' the iron core-rod that is usually employed in roller cotton-compresses, which rods are too heavy to remain within the bale and which very frequently in being removed therefrom injure the fiber. To overcome these objections, itis my purpose to substitute for the ordinary iron core a Wooden core, which is sufiiciently light so as not to materially increase the weight of the bale, and may therefore be allowed to remain in the bale without danger of injuring the fiber, as would be the case with an iron core-rod, which is susceptible to rusting. In connection with the use of a light inexpensive wooden core-rod to remain Within the completed bale it is the purpose of the invention to provide novel and simple means for centering the core-rodfor rotation,

within the press, and also for the quick and read)7 dropping thereof when the bale is completed. Y

Vtith these and other objects in View, which will readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a transverse sectional view of a portion of the frame of a roller cotton-compress, showing the core holding and dropping mechanism contemplated by the present invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinalsectional view of a sufficient portion of a roller cottoncompress to iIhiSt-rate the usual position of a core-rod therein. Fig. 3 is adetailin perspective of one of the rotating bearing-hubs. -Fig. 4 is a detail in perspective of one of the guard heads or plates.

Fig. 5 is a detail in perspective of one end of the wooden core-rod.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the numerals 1 l designate the opposite sides of the frame of an ordinary roller cotton-compress, and each of the frame sides is formed with parallel channel -iron frame bars 2, spaced apart to form gnideways therebetween and having attached to their outer and inner edges the guide-plates 3, which form guides and bearings for the rotary bearinghubs 4, arranged to slide Within the guideways of the frame sides between the upper andI lower guide-plates 3, fitted to the parallel frame-bars 2. Each rotary bearing-hub 4 is cylindrical in form and is provided near its opposite ends with the annular bearinggrooves 5, receiving the adjacent edges of the upper and lower pairs of guide-plates 3. The engagement of the adjacent edges of the guide-plates 3 in the annular bearinggrooves 5 of each bearing-hub prevents the end wise movement of such hub and serves to take the longitudinal strain therefrom.

The bearing-hubs 4, mounted to slide longitudinally within diametrically opposite portions of the frame sides, are formed with longitudinal openings 6, extending from end to end thereof and receiving therein longitudinally movable or sliding centering-pins 7, the inner ends of which pins are-designed to project beyond the inner ends of the hubs 4 and loosely engage in the centering-sockets 8, formed in opposite ends of a woodenY corerod 9, which rod is adapted to be placed between the ordinary compression-rolls 10,0f a

'roller cotton-compress, the bale beingformed lar guard heads or plates l2, which form end flanges for the core-rodandserveto confine the ends of the bale and build such ends evenly or uniformly to produce symmetrical and nicely-finished roll bales. The circular guard heads or plates at the inner ends of the bearing-hubs are provided at a central point withinwardly-extending squared clutch lugs or projections 13, adapted to register in the squared clutch-notches 14, formed at the ends of the wooden core-rod 9 to provide for interlocking the ends of the core-rod with the heads or plates l2, and thereby cause such heads or plates and the hubs to which they are attached to rotate with the core-rod as the bale is heilig formed thereon.

The annular bearing-grooves 5, near the outer ends ot' the bearing-hubs 4, are sufficientlyT large to receive therein the bracketrings l5, which are carried by the bearinghubs in their sliding movement longitudinally of the frame and are formed with offstanding fulcrum-arms IG, to which arms are pivoted at 17 the adjusting-levers 1S. The adjusting-levers 1S at opposite sides of the press-frame are connected together frsimultaneous movement by a connecting-rod lil, pivotally connected at its opposite ends, as at 20, respectively, with the oppositely-located levers, and one of said levers 18 is extended at its free end into a handle 2l, which can be grasped by the operator to provide for simultaneously` adjusting the oppositely-located pins 7 either inward `or outward. One ot` the levers 1S is connected with its fulcruni lt at one cxtremity,while the directlyopposite lever 18 is connected intermediate itslends with its fulcrum I6, so that a movementof the handle 2l in one direction will provide for the proper simultaneous adjustment of the ceiiterii'lg-pins 7. During the operation ot' the press the wooden core-rod 9 is .supported for rotation on-the inner ends of the centering-pins 7, and as the bale increases in size on the rod it is well understood that such rod moves longitudinally of the press-frame and necessarily carries therewith the bearing-hubs 4, which also rotate with the rod. The guard heads or plates l2 serve to confine the ends of the bale and make the same perfectlyeven, and when the bale is completed the handle 2l is grasped and moved in a direction that will simultaneously cause the inner ends of both centering-pins 7 to be withdrawn from the endsof the core-rod, thereby `entirely releasing `the core-rod and permitting the same, with its bale, to fall to the tloor. A new core-rod can be readily replaced in position on the inner. ends of the centering-pins when a new bale isito be formed. p

Vhile a wooden core-rod has been described in connection with the holding and dropping or releasing mechanism, it will of course be understood that suoli mechanism is equally., as welladapted for holding and releasing an iron core-rod, and it will also be understood that various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of const-ruction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combin ation with theoppositeframe sides of a cotton-compress, and the core-rod having bearing-sockets in its ends, of bearinghubs slidably androtatablyA mounted in said frame. sides and provided with longitudinal openings, centering-pins slidably mounted in the longitudinal openings of the hubs,`

slide betweenv said guide-platesand provided near their opposite ends with annular bearin g-groovesreeeiving the edges of such plates, the outer annular grooves ofthe hubsv being enlarged, centering-pins slidably mounted within longitudinal openingsin the bearinghubs, guard heads or plates fitted to theiln` ner endsot the bearing-hubsfand havingan` interlocking'connectionwithV the ends of the core-rod, bracket-rings iittedwiirthe enlarged` annular grooves of thebearing-hubs and having oifstanding ful'crum-arms, adjusting-levers pivoted on said fulcrum-arms and con- `nected with the outer endsof the centeringpins, and aconnecting-rod pivotally connecting the oppositelyllocated adjusting levers, substantially asA set forth.

3. The combination with the frame of a` roller cotton-compress, and the core-rod, of

rotating hubs mounted to slide at opposite` sides ofthe trame, guard-heads rigidly-fitted to the inner endsotjsaid hubs and hav-ingan interlockingr connection with the endsof the core-rod, and-means for simultaneously releasing the ends of thecore-rod to permitof disengagement from the guard-heads, sub.- stantially as set forth.

In testimony that `I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aiiixed -my signature in the presence ot' two witnesses.

fitnessesz Jol-IN II. Sloenns, W. B. HUDSON. 

